County approves hiring four grant-funded staff to stand up CDBG-DR program

Manatee County commissioners approved a plan to solicit and hire four grant-funded positions to support the county's implementation of a large HUD CDBG-DR award, voting 7-0 to authorize recruitment.

The positions are a grant supervisor, two grant administrators and a communications coordinator. County staff said the roles will be funded from the CDBG-DR award and limited-term (the grant funding window runs multiple years); the county will cover short-term payroll outlays and seek reimbursement through the grant on the usual monthly reimbursement cycle.

County Grant Administration Division Manager Michelle Davis said the first-phase hires will support the required pre-award work and the initial post-award implementation. "These positions would be funded by the grant because the grant allows 5% to be used for administration," Davis said, and added the county expects to publish a detailed budget and Budget Amendment at a February meeting.

Why it matters: the CDBG-DR award is intended to fund storm recovery projects across the county but includes a sizable administrative allowance. Commissioners pressed staff to keep administrative costs low so as to maximize funds that reach projects. Commissioner Siddique (Sadiq) said jurisdictions that have successfully used large HUD grants paired dedicated grant writers or consultant teams with in-house staff; others on the board pushed for transparency and for a public spending plan before large sums are committed.

Board discussion and limits

Deputy County Administrator Evan Pilachowski explained that the grant is reimbursement-based and the county will front initial payroll and seek monthly reimbursement; he said the general fund will temporarily cover the one-month timing gap. Staff said the county already holds professional services contracts (including a consultant the county intends to use for rapid grant-writing support during the short award window) and will run competitive procurements for other post-award needs.

Commissioners and staff agreed to regular updates. "We plan to put this as an update on every regular meeting so you can get updates from us and ask questions along the way," District 1 Commissioner Ballard said.

Public accountability and next steps

During the discussion commissioners asked for clarity on how much of the award is available for administration, how long the new hires would remain on payroll, and how the county will limit administrative overhead. Staff said the federal notice shows a county allocation and staff will return with an action plan and the detailed budget amendment; they also said the county will use existing salary ranges for the advertised positions and that the positions will be full-time for the grant term.

The board voted 7-0 to permit solicitation and hiring for the four roles and directed staff to return with the grant appropriation and budget amendment at the next available meeting.